Interactive doll

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides toys, and components thereof, for an interactive doll. An interactive doll of the present disclosure may, among other possible actions, close and open its eyes, pucker its lips, smile, blow kisses, change colors, and/or speak in response to a user interacting with the doll. A user may interact with the doll in a number of manners, such as by bringing objects near the doll, applying a liquid to the doll, changing the temperature of the doll, and/or by engaging mechanisms on the doll.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/733,353 entitled “InteractiveDoll,” filed Nov. 3, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to toy dolls. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to the structure andoperation of an interactive toy doll.

Toy dolls have been in use for many years, and are well known in theart. Toy dolls have additionally included color-changing features, insome cases using thermochromic material. Some examples include thethermochromic materials disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,028,118, issued toNakasuji et al. on Jun. 7, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,560, issued to Kitoet al. on Dec. 20, 1983; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,301, issued to Kito etal. on Jan. 19, 1988, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference. As such, “thermochromic material” as used herein isintended to refer to any suitable material that changes color inresponse to temperature variations.

Toy dolls further have included interactive features, such as lights,sounds and clothes that may be configured. While toy dolls includingthermochromic material may allow the user to simulate the application ofmakeup to various doll features, this experience has been one-sided, asthe doll has not interacted or reacted in any way besides changingcolor. Thus, the development of makeup application dolls capable ofinteraction with a user beyond mere color change may be beneficial tothe art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides toys, and components thereof, for aninteractive doll. An interactive doll of the present disclosure may,among other possible actions, close and open its eyes, pucker its lips,smile, blow kisses, change colors, and/or speak in response to a userinteracting with the doll. A user may interact with the doll in a numberof manners, such as by bringing objects near the doll, applying a liquidto the doll, changing the temperature of the doll, and/or by engagingmechanisms on the doll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a pictorial drawing of an interactive doll according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an interactive doll according to the present disclosureinteracting with a user-held device.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of an interactive doll according to the presentdisclosure interacting with a user-held device.

FIG. 4 shows a cutout view of the interactive doll along the planelabeled as 4 in FIG. 3, including the internal portion used in anexemplary embodiment to interact with the user.

FIG. 5 shows the same cutout view as FIG. 4, with the internal portionshown interacting with the user.

FIG. 6 shows an example of how the various components of the interactivedoll may be configured.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present disclosure relates to toys,and components thereof, for a toy doll 10 for interaction with a user.The interactive doll may include a head 20 and a body 30, and mayinclude other customary doll features such as arms and legs. The head 20may include features, including eyes 24 and lips 26, which may bemovable between various configurations. Such configurations may includea nominal or default configuration, where the feature is at rest, aswell as at least one active configuration, where the feature presents adifferent appearance than in the nominal configuration.

The body 30 may include a body cavity 34 defined by a body surface 32surrounding the cavity 34. The body 30 may support the head 20 and mayadditionally resemble a human torso. Optionally, the body 30 may bepainted, molded, formed, or otherwise decorated to resemble a personwearing clothes.

The interactive doll 10 may include movable features, color changingfeatures, and/or speech features, as will be discussed herein. A usermay interact with the doll 10 in a number of manners to activate one ormore of the movement, color change, and speech features. As anillustrative but non-limiting example, a user may utilize an actuator 40which includes a hand-held makeup unit 42, a trigger 44 and anapplicator 80 to interact with one or more movable features of theinteractive doll, as discussed in more detail herein. Exemplaryinteractive features, including eyes 24 and lips 26 are discussed belowand illustrated in FIGS. 1-6; other facial features, such as the nose,eyebrows, cheeks, or other features may similarly be made interactive.

With reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, eyes 24are illustrated in a nominal configuration, in this instance appearingopen, in FIG. 1 and in an active configuration, in this instanceappearing closed, in FIG. 2. Eyes 24 include eyelid portions 24 a. Eyes24 may be adapted to remain open or in the nominal configuration untilresponding to a user action. When the eyes 24 are open or in the nominalconfiguration, all or part of the eyelid portion 24 a may be hidden fromthe user. When the eye 24 is in closed or in the active configuration,all or part of the eyelid portion 24 a may be exposed to the user.

As shown in FIG. 2, eyes 24 may be operated by an actuator 40 with atrigger 44 and an internal portion 50 a wherein the trigger 44 may beadapted to communicate with the internal portion 50 a to move the eye 24to the active configuration when the trigger 44 is brought within apredetermined distance from the internal portion 50 a. The trigger 44may emanate any suitable wireless signals, including but not limited toa magnetic field, radio frequency (e.g. RFID), or any other wirelesssignal.

The internal portion 50 a may be disposed in the head cavity 28, and maytake the form of a variety of mechanical systems responsive to thesignal emanating from the trigger 44. For instance, the trigger 44 maytake the form of a magnet and act on a magnetically responsive element52 disposed in the internal portion 50 a when the user configures thetrigger 44 into a position within a predetermined distance of themagnetically responsive element 52, to move the eyes 24 between thenominal and active configurations. The magnetically responsive element52 may be disposed in the middle of the eye 24 such that the eye 24moves to expose an eyelid portion 24 a when the trigger 44 is moved to aposition within a predetermined distance of the eyes 24. For example,eye 24 and eyelid portion 24 a may be rotatably mounted together on anaxle, with a magnet positioned inside eye 24 to swing the eyelid portion24 a closed when attracted to a magnet in trigger 44.

Alternatively, the internal portion 50 a may take the form of a motoroperably coupled to a magnetically responsive switch. The trigger 44could act on the magnetically responsive switch when manipulated by theuser to a position within a predetermined distance of the magneticallyresponsive switch. The switch could in turn actuate the motor, whichcauses the eyes to move between the nominal and active configurations.

FIG. 2 illustrates the doll 10 with the trigger 44 within apredetermined distance of one eye 24 such that both eyes 24 are in theactive configuration. While the trigger 44 only engages the magneticallyresponsive element 52 in a single eye 24, the eyes 24 may be coupledtogether or otherwise associated to move both eyes to the activeconfiguration in response to the interactive engagement of a single eye,as shown in FIG. 2. Additionally or alternatively, the eyes 24 may beseparate or capable of separate interactive responses. For example, thedoll 10 may have eyes 24 capable of blinking or closing a single eye inresponse to the user actions.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate another interactive feature of the doll 10, in theform of lips 26, within the scope of the present disclosure. Lips 26 areillustrated in a nominal configuration, in this instance appearingsmiling, in FIGS. 1-4, and in an active configuration, in this instanceappearing puckered, in FIGS. 3 (shown in dotted lines) and 5. Lips 26may be adapted to remain smiling or in the nominal configuration untilresponding to a user action.

The embodiment in these figures is configured with interactive lips 26that move in response to user actions. As illustrated in FIG. 3, theremay be an actuator 40 including an internal portion 50 b, such as asensor and a motor, and a trigger 44, wherein the trigger 44 may bemoved within a predetermined distance of the lips 26 of the doll 10, asshown by direction arrow A. The trigger 44 may affect a change in thelips 26 to move them from a nominal configuration to an activeconfiguration.

The lips 26 may be moved between the nominal and active configurationsby a number of suitable mechanical systems. These mechanical systems maybe adapted to be responsive to a suitable signal, such as a magneticfield, radio frequency (e.g., RFID), or any other wireless signal,emanating from the trigger to cause the interactive movement.

The internal portion 50 b of the actuator 40 may be disposed at leastpartially in the head cavity 28 and may extend to the body cavity 34. Insome aspects of the present disclosure, the internal portion 50 b mayinclude a cam coupled to the lips within the head cavity 28, such thatthe cam moves forward to push the middle of the lips 26 outwardly fromthe smiling position upon activation of the actuator 40. The internalportion 50 b may also include a motor and a switch. One example of asuitable motor includes a solenoid adapted to be switched on by the useraction to move the cam forward. In some examples, the switch may be amagnetically responsive element. The switch may activate and deactivatethe motor. In some examples, the switch may respond to the trigger 44 inthe form of a magnet. Additionally or alternatively, a user interfacemechanism 36, such as a push button, may activate and deactivate themotor.

An exemplary actuator 40 within the scope of the present disclosure isseen in FIGS. 3-5, where FIGS. 4 and 5 show cut-out views of theinteractive doll 10 of FIG. 3 along the plane labeled as 4 in FIG. 3. Inthis embodiment, the internal portion 50 b of the actuator 40 includes amotor 54 containing a sensor, such as a magnetically responsive switch54 a within the motor, and a cam 56. The cam 56 is shown in operationwith a planar piece 58 having a slot 58 a, the cam 56 being operablycoupled to the planar piece 58 via a peg 56 a disposed on the camadjacent to the edge of the cam 56 and extending into the slot 58 a.

The trigger 44, when configured to a position within a predetermineddistance of the magnetically responsive switch 54 a, causes the switch54 a to activate the motor 54. The motor 54 in turn rotates the cam 56through 180°, as shown by arrow C. As the cam 56 rotates, the peg 56 amoves the planar piece 58 outwardly as shown by the arrow X. Thus, therotational motion of the cam 56 is translated into linear motion. Thislinear motion pushes the planar piece 58 out in the direction X, againstthe backside of the lips 26. This motion against the backside of thelips 26 forces the lips 26 out and away from the head 20 in thedirection of arrow B, thus making the doll 10 appear to pucker or kiss.

The actuator 40 may be adapted to move the lips 26 between a smilingposition, a puckered position, and/or a kissing position. The puckeredposition and the kissing position may position the lips 26 insubstantially the same configuration or in different configurations.Accordingly, the actuator 40 may be adapted to provide more than onetype of motion. Additionally or alternatively, the internal portion 50 bassociated with the lips 26 may be coupled to or cooperativelyassociated with internal portion 50 a associated with the eyes 24. Oneexample of such cooperative association includes a single user actionthat triggers the interactive response including blowing a kiss andblinking or winking one or both eyes 24.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the interactive movement ofthe various facial features and the interactive responses of the doll 10may be adapted to facilitate or to be responsive to the application of“makeup” to the doll 10. For example, the eyelid portions 24 a and thelips 26 may include, be painted with, or otherwise have their surfacesaffected by a thermochromic material. To this end, the material of theeyelid portions 24 a or lips 26 may be blended with a thermochromicmaterial.

When the features of the doll include a thermochromic material, theappearance of the features may change in response to temperature changeof a thermal characteristic of the features. The change in appearancemay include a change in color, as well as a change from one pattern toanother or a change of texture. The colors, quantity, and location ofthe thermochromic materials may be selected to provide the desired colorchange affect so that the user is able to simulate the application andremoval of makeup to or from the doll's face by changing the temperatureof the feature having thermochromic material. It should be understoodthat the eyelid portions 24 a and lips 26 are capable of color changenot only across their whole surfaces, but across less than their wholesurfaces as well.

The user may be provided with an applicator 80 which the user can use toapply makeup to the doll. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, an applicator 80is capable of acquiring and retaining a thermal characteristic, andcould include a sponge, a piece of ice, a cold pack, or any othersimilar object. In an embodiment where the applicator 80 is a sponge,the user may dip the applicator 80 in cold water (or warm water) beforepassing it over the eyelid portions 24 a. As the cold water is appliedto the eyelid portions 24 a, the thermochromic material will changecolor imitating the application of makeup to the eyelid portions 24 a.

Similarly, the applicator 80 may be used to change the color of the lips26 to imitate the application of lipstick. While the eyelid portions 24a and lips 26 are specifically discussed, other portions of the doll 10may include thermochromic materials, regardless of whether thoseportions have other interactive responses, such as movement.

The colors of the thermochromic material and inks may be selected sothat the color of the color-changing facial features matches that ofhead surface 24 before the thermal characteristic of the facial featureis changed and is different than that of head surface 24 after thethermal characteristic is changed. Any desirable combination of colorsmay be used for the inks, paint or other coloration systems used tocolor the head surface and the facial features, such as eyelid portions24 a and lips 26. For example, a thermochromic material applied to theeyelid portions 24 a may change the eyelid portions 24 a from aflesh-toned color to a blue color. Similarly, the thermochromic materialapplied to the lips 26 may change from a natural lip color to a redcolor.

Alternatively, the thermochromic material may change between clear ortransparent to a desired color responsive to the temperature change,such that the underlying color of the skin shows through until the userchanges the temperature to effect the color change. Any suitablethermochromic material may be used as described in the presentdisclosure, and examples are listed above in the Background section.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the feature isconfigured with thermochromic material to display a first and a secondcolor. The portion of the feature with the thermochromic material has athermal characteristic, typically the temperature of the thermochromicmaterial, configurable between a first temperature and a secondtemperature. When the thermal characteristic is below the firsttemperature, the portion of the feature displays the first color. Whenthe thermal characteristic is above the second temperature, the portionof the feature displays the second color.

Additionally, the portion of the feature having the thermochromicmaterial may be substantially concealed when the feature is in thenominal configuration, and the portion of the feature havingthermochromic material may be substantially exposed to the user when thefeature is in the active configuration. For example, where the featureis an eye 24 and the portion having thermochromic material is the eyelidportion 24 a, all or part of the eyelid portion 24 a might be hiddenfrom the user when the eye 24 is open, and all or part of the eyelidportion 24 a might be exposed to the user when the eye 24 is closed,allowing the user to apply makeup.

As described above, the trigger 44 may be used to interact with the doll10 to trigger interactive movement of one or more facial features, or totrigger speech, and the applicator 80 may be used to alter the thermalcondition of the eyelid portions 24 a or lips 26. FIGS. 1-3 show anexemplary embodiment where the trigger 44 and the applicator 80 arecoupled into a hand-held makeup unit 42. The makeup unit 42 illustratedin FIGS. 1-3 includes a grip portion 46 and a contact portion 48 towhich the applicator 80 is mounted. The trigger 44 may be disposed inthe grip portion 46, may be disposed partially in the grip portion 46and partially in the contact portion 48, or may be disposed entirelywithin the contact portion 48. The applicator 80 may be mounted on acontact portion 48 of the makeup unit, and the applicator may comprise afoam tip or a tip of other absorbent material such as sponge capable ofacquiring and retaining liquids. In some aspects of the presentdisclosure, the hand-held makeup unit 42 may be configured in a sizesuitable for young girls and may include etchings, paintings, raisedportions, or other forms of decoration that is pleasing to young girls.

When the trigger 44 includes an internal magnet as described above, thehand-held makeup unit 42 can include a sealed body such that the userdoes not have convenient access to the magnet or other components storedwithin the hand-held makeup unit 42. When the trigger 44 includes abattery powered system, the hand-held makeup unit 42 may be configuredto include a battery compartment and cover, which may be adapted to beselectively opened by the user to replace the batteries.

As described above, the applicator 80 may be used to apply water orother fluids to the doll 10 to activate or deactivate the thermochromicmaterials. The uptake and release rates of the applicator 80 as well asits fluid storage capacity may be selected to allow the user to applythe fluid to the doll without the fluid running or spreading to areasthe user did not intend. The fluid storage and release capabilities ofthe applicator 80 may be extended by use of a reservoir in the gripportion 46.

The doll 10 may be used with a bowl 82 for holding the water or otherfluid to be applied to the doll 10 to activate or deactivate thethermochromic materials. The bowl 82 may be formed in any suitable shapeto further enhance the recreational value of the interactive doll as thechild simulates the application of makeup.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate one configuration of a bowl 82 as a bowl dividedinto two reservoirs 84 and 86. The user may put warm water in onereservoir 84 and cold water in the other reservoir 86 to allow the userto selectively apply and remove the makeup without returning to the sinkor other source of water. The number of reservoirs formed in the bowl 82may depend on the configuration of the doll 10 and the number and natureof thermochromic materials applied to the doll.

In a further aspect of a previously mentioned exemplary embodiment, thebowl 82 has two reservoirs, the first reservoir holding water below thefirst temperature, and the second reservoir holding water above thesecond temperature. This configuration allows a user to apply water fromthe reservoirs to the portions of the features having thermochromicmaterial, causing the portions to change between displaying the firstand second colors.

In another aspect of the disclosure depicted in FIG. 6, the doll 10 mayinclude a voice generator 70 including a processor 72 and memory 74, aspeaker 76, and a power supply 78, which together may be adapted toproduce sound resembling human speech or any other sound. Any speakersize adapted to fit within the interactive doll may be used.

A preferred embodiment uses a memory device 74 having a memory chipadapted to store at least 12 seconds of sound data, but different typesof memory devices and larger or smaller memory chips may be used. Thevoice generator 70 may be disposed in the head cavity 28, the bodycavity 34, or both. The voice generator may include features to enablethe doll to speak different phrases in response to different userinputs. For example, the voice generator may be adapted to generate aparticular phrase after the user applies makeup to the lips 26 and adifferent phrase after the user applies makeup to the eyes 24.

Additionally or alternatively, the voice generator may be adapted togenerate a given phrase in response to user activation of a userinterface mechanism 36 and a different phrase after the user applies anykind of makeup. Additionally, the power supply 78 may optionally becoupled to the internal portions 50 a and/or 50 b, depending on whetherthose portions require power to move the features. Other configurationsand adaptations of the speaking device are possible such that thespeaking device responds to the user interaction.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the doll may include a userinterface mechanism 36, an example of which is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.The user interface mechanism 36 may be adapted to activate one or moreof the interactive features of the doll 10, such as the eyes 24, thelips 26, and/or a voice generator 70. The interface mechanism 36 may beassociated with the body 30 or the head 20.

The interface mechanism 36 may include an interface member 38 with whichthe user can interact to cause a response by one or more interactivefeatures of the doll 10. The interface mechanism may be in physical,electrical, magnetic or radio communication with the movement mechanismsand/or the speaking devices. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the interfacemember 38 of the interface mechanism 36 may include a depressible buttonadapted to look like a jewel or other clothing feature.

Accordingly, while embodiments have been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to the foregoing disclosure, many variationsmay be made therein. The foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and nosingle feature or element is essential to all possible combinations thatmay be used in a particular application. Where the claims recite “a” or“a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims include one ormore such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more suchelements. Further, ordinal indicators, such as first, second or third,for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements,and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number of suchelements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of suchelements unless otherwise specifically stated.

1. A toy doll for interaction with a user having a head with a face, thedoll comprising: a feature disposed on the face, the feature movablebetween a nominal configuration and an active configuration, and atleast a portion of the feature having a thermal characteristic whereinthe portion of the feature displays a first color when the thermalcharacteristic is below a first temperature, and the portion of thefeature displays a second color when the thermal characteristic is abovea second temperature; an actuator including: an internal portiondisposed within the head to move the feature between the nominal andactive configurations; and a trigger adapted to be manipulated by theuser, the trigger communicating with the internal portion to controlmovement of the feature; and an applicator for altering the thermalcharacteristic of the portion of the feature to change the color of theportion of the feature from one of the first and second colors to theother of the first and second colors.
 2. The toy doll of claim 1,wherein the trigger, when manipulated by the user to a position within apredetermined distance of the internal portion, activates the internalportion to move the feature to the active configuration.
 3. The toy dollof claim 1 wherein the trigger is a button disposed on the doll.
 4. Thetoy doll of claim 1 further including a neck, wherein the trigger isdisposed adjacent to the neck.
 5. The toy doll of claim 1, wherein theapplicator includes a sponge for retaining liquid.
 6. The toy doll ofclaim 5, further including a bowl with two or more reservoirs, with onereservoir containing liquid at a temperature below the first temperatureand a second reservoir containing a liquid at a temperature above thesecond temperature.
 7. The toy doll of claim 1, wherein the trigger iscoupled to the applicator.
 8. The toy doll of claim 7, wherein thetrigger and applicator coupled together resemble a hand-held makeupapplicator.
 9. The toy doll of claim 2, wherein: the internal portionincludes a magnetically responsive element coupled to the feature; thetrigger includes a magnet; and the magnet acts on the magneticallyresponsive element when manipulated by the user to a position within thepredetermined distance, thereby moving the feature between the nominaland active configurations.
 10. The toy doll of claim 2, wherein thefeature in the nominal configuration substantially conceals the portionof the feature having the thermal characteristic from the user, and thefeature in the active configuration substantially exposes the portion ofthe feature having the thermal characteristic to the user.
 11. The toydoll of claim 10, wherein the feature includes at least one eye and theportion of the feature having a thermal characteristic includes aneyelid.
 12. The toy doll of claim 11, wherein: the internal portionincludes a magnetically responsive element coupled to the eye; thetrigger includes a magnet; and the magnet acts on the magneticallyresponsive element when manipulated by the user to a position within thepredetermined distance, thereby moving the eye between the nominal andactive configurations.
 13. The toy doll of claim 11, wherein: theinternal portion includes a motor and a magnetically responsive switchoperatively coupled to the motor; the trigger includes a magnet; and themagnet acts on the magnetically responsive switch when the magnet ismanipulated by the user to a position within the predetermined distanceof the magnetically responsive switch, the magnetically responsiveswitch then actuates the motor to move the eye between the nominal andactive configurations.
 14. The toy doll of claim 11, wherein the featureincludes two eyes, and the two eyes are coupled together.
 15. The toydoll of claim 14, whereby one eye moving causes the other eye to move.16. The toy doll of claim 1 wherein the feature comprises at least onelip.
 17. The toy doll of claim 16 wherein the feature includes two lipsand the lips are puckered in the active configuration.
 18. The toy dollof claim 16, wherein: the internal portion includes a magneticallyresponsive element coupled to the lip; the trigger includes a magnet;and the magnet acts on the magnetically responsive element whenmanipulated by the user to a position within a predetermined distance ofthe magnetically responsive element, causing the lip to move from thenominal configuration to the active configuration.
 19. The toy doll ofclaim 16, wherein: the internal portion includes a cam coupled to thelip, a motor and a magnetically responsive switch operatively coupled tothe motor; the trigger includes a magnet; and the magnet causes themagnetically responsive switch to activate the motor when the magnet ismanipulated by the user to a position within a predetermined distance ofthe magnetically responsive switch, the motor then rotates the cam tomove the lip between the nominal and active configurations.
 20. The toydoll of claim 19 wherein the lip returns to the nominal configurationfrom the active configuration after the magnet is removed from withinthe predetermined distance from the magnetically responsive switch. 21.The toy doll of claim 20, wherein after the magnet is removed fromwithin the predetermined distance from the magnetically responsiveswitch, the lip returns to the nominal configuration from the activeconfiguration only after a predetermined amount of time.
 22. The toydoll of claim 1, wherein the feature includes a thermochromic material.23. The toy doll of claim 1, further including a speaker and a voicegenerator.
 24. The toy doll of claim 23, wherein the voice generatoroperates in association with the movement of the feature.
 25. The toydoll of claim 23, wherein the voice generator generates phrasesdependent on user actions.
 26. A user-interactive toy eye apparatus foruse with a doll head, the apparatus comprising: an eye with an eyelidportion, the eye being movable between a nominal configuration and anactive configuration, and the eyelid portion having a thermalcharacteristic such that the eyelid portion displays a first color whenthe thermal characteristic is below a first temperature and the eyelidportion displays a second color when the thermal characteristic is abovea second temperature; an actuator including: an internal portiondisposed within the head to move the eye between the nominal and activeconfigurations; and a trigger adapted to be manipulated by the user, thetrigger communicating with the internal portion to control movement ofthe eye; and an applicator for altering the thermal characteristic ofthe eyelid portion to change the color of the eyelid portion from one ofthe first and second colors to the other of the first and second colors.27. The toy eye apparatus of claim 26, wherein the eye in the nominalconfiguration appears open and conceals a substantial portion of theeyelid portion from the user, and the eye in the active configurationappears closed and exposes a substantial portion of the eyelid portionto the user.
 28. The toy eye apparatus of claim 26, wherein: theinternal portion includes a magnetically responsive element coupled tothe eye; the trigger includes a magnet; and the magnet, beingmanipulated by the user to a position within a predetermined distance ofthe magnetically responsive element, causes the eye to move from thenominal configuration into the active configuration.
 29. The toy eyeapparatus of claim 26, wherein: the internal portion includes a motorand a magnetically responsive switch operably coupled to the motor; thetrigger includes a magnet; and the magnet, being manipulated by the userto a position within a predetermined distance of the magneticallyresponsive switch, acts on the magnetically responsive switch, themagnetically responsive switch thereby actuating the motor to move theeye from the nominal configuration to the active configuration.
 30. Thetoy eye apparatus of claim 26, wherein the applicator includes a spongefor retaining liquid.
 31. The toy eye apparatus of claim 30, furtherincluding a bowl with two or more reservoirs, with one reservoircontaining liquid at a temperature below the first temperature and asecond reservoir containing a liquid at a temperature above the secondtemperature.
 32. The toy eye apparatus of claim 26, wherein the triggeris coupled to the applicator.
 33. The toy eye apparatus of claim 32,wherein the trigger and applicator coupled together resemble a hand-heldmakeup applicator.
 34. The toy eye apparatus of claim 26, wherein thelip includes a thermochromic material.
 35. A user-interactive toy mouthapparatus for use with a head, the apparatus comprising: a lip movablebetween a nominal configuration and an active configuration, at least aportion of the lip having a thermal characteristic such that the portionof the lip displays a first color when the thermal characteristic isbelow a first temperature and the portion of the lip displays a secondcolor when the thermal characteristic is above a second temperature; anactuator including: an internal portion disposed within the head to movethe lip between the nominal and active configurations; and a triggeradapted to be manipulated by the user, the trigger communicating withthe internal portion to control movement of the feature; and anapplicator for altering the thermal characteristic of the portion of thelip to change the color of the portion of the lip from one of the firstand second colors to the other of the first and second colors.
 36. Thetoy mouth apparatus of claim 35, further including an additional lip,and when the lips are the nominal configuration they resemble a smile,and when the lips are in the active configuration they appear to pucker.37. The toy mouth apparatus of claim 35, wherein: the internal portionincludes a magnetically responsive element coupled to the lip; thetrigger includes a magnet; the magnet, being manipulated by the user toa position within a predetermined distance of the magneticallyresponsive element, causes the lip to move between the nominal andactive configurations.
 38. The toy mouth apparatus of claim 35, wherein:the internal portion includes a cam coupled to the lip, a motor and amagnetically responsive switch; the trigger includes a magnet; and themagnet, being manipulated by the user to a position within apredetermined distance of the magnetically responsive switch, causes themagnetically responsive switch to activate the motor, the motor therebyrotating the cam to move the lip between the nominal and activeconfigurations.
 39. The toy mouth apparatus of claim 35, wherein theapplicator includes a sponge for retaining liquid.
 40. The toy mouthapparatus of claim 39, further including a bowl with two or morereservoirs, with one reservoir containing liquid at a temperature belowthe first temperature and a second reservoir containing a liquid at atemperature above the second temperature.
 41. The toy mouth apparatus ofclaim 35, wherein the trigger is coupled to the applicator.
 42. The toymouth apparatus of claim 41, wherein the trigger and applicator coupledtogether resemble a hand-held makeup applicator.
 43. The toy mouthapparatus of claim 38, wherein the motor includes a solenoid adapted tomove the cam, causing the lip to move.
 44. The toy mouth apparatus ofclaim 38, wherein the lip returns to the nominal configuration from theactive configuration after the magnet is removed from within thepredetermined distance from the magnetically responsive switch.
 45. Thetoy mouth apparatus of claim 44, wherein after the magnet is removedfrom within the predetermined distance from the magnetically responsiveswitch, the lip returns to the nominal configuration from the activeconfiguration only after a predetermined amount of time.
 46. The toymouth apparatus of claim 35, wherein the lip includes a thermochromicmaterial.